Potato cutting table and treater



4 Sheets-Shet l #H W i 1 WW M M 0 @Q Q 1 R. A. HURTT Filed Aug. 4, 1941 POTATO CUTTING TABLE AND THEATER Dec. 1, 1942.

R. A. HURTT POTATO CUTTING TABLE AND THEATER Dec. 1, 1942.

Filed Aug. 4, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v grwcmioz 5a] A. Ha/zf (La/v? W;

Dec. 1, 1942. I R A, HURTT 0 2,304,000

POTATO CUTTING TABLE AND TREATER Filed Aug. 4, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 1, 1942. R. A. HURTT POTATO CUTTING TABLE AND THEATER Filed Aug. 4, 1941 4 Sh eet s-Sheet 4 I 2/ sal 5 2% E I U fl/ Z v Patented Dec. 1, 1942 UNETED STATES FTNT OFFICE POTATO CUTTING TABLE AND TREATER Roy A. Hurtt, Hoople, N. Dak.

Application August 4, 1941, Serial No. 405,335

Claims.

This invention relates to a potato cutting table and treater and the main object is to provide a substantial and efficient device at which a number of operators or cutters may simultaneously work slicing potatoes which are readily accessible from a bin on the cutting table. The sliced potatoes falling into a conveyor where they are conducted to a treating solution and then carried by an elevator to a container. 1

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine showing details of conveyor and elevator mechanisms.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of conveyor taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the conveyor showing drive mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the cutting table.

Referring to the drawings in detail, [0 denotes the potato cutting table which supports the conveyor 1 I. At one end of the table 10 there is provided an elevator I2 connected at its lower end to the conveyor I l and supporting the power mechanism for operating the conveyor and elevator.

The table It is preferably made of suitable wood stock and comprises four legs l3 there being two at each end. Connecting each pair of legs is an upper board M the ends of which lie flush with the outer edges of the legs, and a lower board I5 the ends of which are inclined downwardly and outwardly as at l6 and which end portions extend a substantial distance beyond the legs l3. The boards I and I5 are disposed in superposed relation, see Fig. 3 and constitute fixed end closures for a potato bin ll. Crosspieces [8 connect each pair of legs [3 and support a base board IS, the arrangement being such that the lower horizontal edge of the board seats on said base board 19.

'- The bottom of the bin I! is defined by two downwardly and outwardly inclined boards 20 and 2| joined together at their inner longitudinal edges as at 22 in the vertical longitudinal center plane of the table and with their outer longitudinal edges 23 seated on the base board 19 and spaced inwardly from the longitudinal edges 24 thereof. Extending between each pair of legs l3 one on each side thereof and seated on the end extensions of the lower boards l5 are side boards 25, and disposed inwardly of said side boards 25 are stop boards 26 which are inclined downwardly and. inwardly, see Fig. 3. The stop boards 26 are secured to the side boards 25 and end boards I l, [5 and have their inner longitudinal edges spaced from the surface of the bottom boards 20, 2!. Preferably the inner longitudinal edge portion of each stop board 26 is cut-away as at 2'1 and 28. Thus, the bin ll when filled with potatoes provides an accessible supply thereof within reach of the operators, the potatoes dropping through the openings provided between the stop boards 26 and bottom boards 21 in the manner readily apparent.

The lower ends of each pair of legs l3 are braced by cross-pieces 30 which further support the conveyor l l in the manner to be hereinafter described. Arranged between the cross-pieces l8 and 30 and secured to each pair of legs 13 are supports 3| which extend beyond the edges 24 of the base board l9 and to the ends of which are fixed the seats 32. In the form of table l0 shown each seat 32 can accommodate two operators.

though it is to be understood that the size of the table l0 may be varied to accommodate any desired number of operators.

The base board l9 provides two flat cutting table portions 33 between the lower edges 23 of the inclined bottom boards 20 and 2|, and the edges 24 of the base board. Suitably secured to the cutting table 33 adjacent the edge thereof and centrally opposite each of the cut-away portions 28 of the stop boards 26 is a vertical knife or cut-' ting blade 35, see Figs. 1, 3 and 6. Positioned on the underside of each of the cutting tables 33 and secured thereto are a pair of stirrups 36, one directly under each knife 35. The stirrups .36 each straddle and fixedly support the upper end of a sheet metal chute 31, the lower end of which extends into the conveyor H in the manner to be hereinafter described.

The conveyor I I, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is

formed trough shaped and comprises a flat bottom 40 and parallel side walls H and 42, the trough being open at each end thereof. Provided in each of the side walls 4|, 42 are slotted open.

ings 43 through which the lower ends of the chutes 37 project interiorly of the conveyor ll. Preferably the side walls of the chute 31 are reduced at the lower end thereof, see Fig. 3 as to provide a shoulder 38 adapted to abut the walls 4| and 42 adjacent the openings 43 therein so as to properly position the chutes 31 in the conveyor as well as to maintain the lower ends thereof in said position, the openings 43 being so dimensioned as to snugly receive: the lower ends of the chutes therein so as to obviate any play therein.

The side walls 4|, 42 have mounted at each end thereof opposed bearings 44 and 45 in which are rotatably mounted shafts dt and 41, respectively. Arranged on each end of the shafts 46 and 41, adjacent the side walls 4| and, and

fixed thereon are identical sprocketwheelsfl lll.

and 49. As will be observed, the shafts 46 and 41 are parallel and the sprocket wheels 48 and 49 on corresponding ends of the shafts 45- and 4'! are in the same vertical plane, Connecting each pair of corresponding sprocket wheels is a sprocket chain 50. Viewing Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the lower ends of the chutes 31 extend, between the upper andlower sections of the sprocket chainswith sufficient clearance there,- between. Disposed on the sprocket chains 50in equally spaced transverse parallel relation, throughout the entire extentthereof are cleats 52 of wood. or. any other suitable material. The

cleats 52 are of a length slightly less than, the in.-

side distance betweenthe conveyor side Walls. 4l, and 42, and of a depth but slightly less than the distance between the lower sprocket chain section andthebottom surface of the. trough,. such that movement of the cleats 52 with the,

sprocket chains will bev unimpeded.

At the forward endof the conveyor II and in.

communication therewith is the elevator l2, which is alsotrough shaped andcomprises abet.-

tom wall 55 and spaced parallel side walls .56... The bottom wall is continued by .an end curved.-

of .the conveyor side walls. 42.,are inclined to abut.

the. edges ofthe. elevator side walls 56 as at 58.. Thus, viewing. Fig. 2, it. will beseenthat the .con-

veyorl I. is in direct communication with theupwardly inclined. elevator I2,. the lower ,end of.

which byvirtue of the curved end wall 5! defining apocket or well 59. below the levelof the con.-

the inside distance between the elevator side walls 58, and of a depth .but slightly less than the distance between the lower sprocket chain section and the distance between the lower sprocket chain section and the bottom wall 55 such as to provide the requisite clearance for free movement of the cleats 12 with the sprocket chains. The upper shaft 61 is located over the elevator chute 6B and remote from the upper end edge 13 of the conveyor bottom wall 55, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Any desired means (not shown) may be utilized for securing the cleats 52 and 12 to their respective sprocket chains. The cleats 12 are provided. attheir free edge portions with re-entrant openings 14 to permit the drainage thereveyorbottom wall 4E3.v The elevator I2 is provided.

at its upper end with a downwardly directed.

chute (it to themouth 6| of which may be affixed a container or bag 62. to receive therein the sliced. and treatedpotatoes, aswill be hereinafter de-.

scribed.

The elevator side walls .56. have mounted at. eachend thereof opposed bearings 65 and 65 in which .are rotatably. mounted upper and lower. shafts. 61 and 58, respectively. Arranged on each end.of theshafts 67 and 68,.adjacent the .side. walls..65 and 56, and fixed thereon are identical sprocket Wheels 69 and Ill. As willbe observed,

theshafts 6'! and 68 are parallel and the sprocket wheels 69 and 19 on corresponding ends of the shafts. 61 and 68 are in the same vertical plane..-

Connecting each pair of corresponding. sprocket wheels 69 and H3 is a sprocket chain ll Disposed on the sprocket chains ll in equally spaced transverse parallel relation throughout the entire extentthereof are cleats I2 ofwood. or any other suitable. material, of a length slightly less thanthrough of the potato treating solution 15 filling the. elevator well 59;.

As pointed out hereinabove, the elevator I2 is inclined forwardly and upwardly and is rigidly held in this position by means of the uppenand lower pairs of braces or struts 86 and 8|.

Mounted on the upper brace membersfiflislan, electric motor 82 on the shaft of which is-fixed; a small diameter pulley 83. Arranged 'substan tially mid way between the sprocket wheel shafts; 6'! and 68 is a drive shaft 84 supported in bear-. ings 85 mounted in the elevator side walls Sit-ad,- jacent the upper edges thereof, the end portions of the shaft 84 extending outwardly beyond said side walls. On one end of the drive shaft 84 is-. fixedly mounted for movement therewithian-inner; small diameter pulley 86 and an outer large diameter pulley 8?, the pulley 8? beingdisposed; in the same vertical plane with the motor; pulley, 83 and connected thereto by a belt 88. On the: other end of the drive shaft 84 is fixedlymounted; a sprocket wheel 89. The sprocket wheel shaft 6'! is provided with an extension on which is fixedly mounted a large diameter pulley 9E arrangcdr in the same vertical plane with the pulley'86 and. connected thereto by a belt 9! which moves over an idler tensioning pulley Q2 mounted on the adjacent side wall 56, see Fig. l.

The forward sprocket wheel shaft 46 0f the, conveyor is provided with an extension-on which is fixedly mounted a sprocket wheel- 95; arranged to lie in the same vertical plane with the sprocket wheel 89 on the drive shaft. 84 and connected thereto by a sprocket chain .96. The sprocket chain 95 preferably operates over an idler ten-.1 sioning wheel 9" carried by a suitable bracket98 attached to the adjacent side wall 56.

Thus, with the electric motor 82.- in operation; power is supplied to the conveyor,sprocketg-wheelr 48 from the drive shaft 84 by the sprocketchaim drive 89, S6, 95 to move the sprocket cha-inu50: carrying the cleats 42 in the, direction ofthe; arrows A. At the same time power is supplied to the elevator upper sprocket wheel shaft 6-! by the belt and pulley drive 86, SI, to move the sprocket chain H carrying the cleats 12. in the direction of the arrows B.

Each cutting knife 35 located on the cuttingi table 33, as hereinabove pointed out is in, front) of a bin opening 28 and has diSDDSGdTthBIBbG-f neath a slide chute 31. Thus the table IE1. is: pro.: vided with four cutting stations each seating an. operator who takes potatoes from the-;.bin. '.l,1 through the opening 28 opposite him, slices the; potatoes on the knife 35.and pushes or drops; the sliced potatoes onto the slide chute 31 which; conducts the sliced potatoes into the conveyor; II where the same drop. on the bottom walla:

.,th.ereof. With; the .machine..in. operation mhe cleats 52 on the moving sprocket chains 50 move the sliced potatoes forwardly where they are dripped into the well 59 containing a potato treating solution located at the bottom of the elevator [2. Here the sliced potatoes are picked up by the cleats 12 on the moving sprocket chains H and are carried thereby upwardly to be dumped into the elevator chute 66, see arrows C, to collect in the container 52, the treating solution in the meanwhile draining downwardly through the openings 14 of the cleats l2 and through the clearance spaces at the ends and free edge thereof.

It is thus seen than an extremely simple, efficient and satisfactory machine is provided for the purpose intended.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A potato cutting and treating machine comprising a cutting table including a feed bin, spaced cutting means on said cutting table below said bin and on opposed sides thereof, a conveyor, a chute between each of said cutting means and said conveyor, a well containing a potato treating solution into which said conveyor carries the cut potatoes discharged thereinto by said chute from said cutting means, and

an elevator carrying said treated cut potatoes to a discharge point for collection in a container, said conveyor and said elevator both being trough shaped, power driven endless chain means operating within each said trough, a plurality of cleats arranged in spaced fixed relation on said chain means transversely of each said trough adapted to move longitudinally of the bottoms thereof, said elevator and conveyor being in the same vertical plane and arranged in end to end angular relationship, and said well being disposed at the lower end of said elevator.

2. A potato cutting and treating machine comprising a cutting table including a feed bin, spaced cutting means on said cutting table below said bin and on opposed sides thereof, a conveyor arranged horizontally beneath said table, a chute between each of said cutting means and said conveyor, a well located at one end of said conveyor containing a potato treating solution into which said conveyor carries the cut potatoes discharged thereinto by said chute from said cutting means, and an elevator extending upwardly from said well carrying said treated cut potatoes to a discharge point for collection in a container, said conveyor and said elevator both being trough shaped, power driven endless chain means operating within each said trough, a plurality of cleats arranged in spaced fixed relation on said chain means transversely of each said trough adapted to move longitudinally of the bottoms thereof, said elevator and conveyor being in the same vertical plane and arranged in end to end angular relationship, and said well being disposed at the lower end of said elevator and below the bottom of said conveyor.

3. A potato cutting and treating machine comprising a cutting table, cutting means on said cutting table, a conveyor, a chute between said cutting means and said conveyor, a well containing a potato treating solution into which said conveyor carries the cut potatoes discharged therein by said chute from said cutting means, and an elevator carrying said treated cut potatoes to a discharge point for collection in a container, said conveyor and said elevator both being trough shaped, said well being provided at the lower end of said elevator and below the bottom of said conveyor, said elevator and conveyor bethe same vertical plane and connected in end to end angular relationship with said conveyor horizontal, a sprocket wheel shaft transversely mounted adjacent the ends of said conveyor and elevator, a pair of sprocket wheels on each said shaft, a sprocket chain connecting corresponding'sprocket wheels in said conveyor and elevator, a plurality of transverse cleats arranged in longitudinally spaced fixed relation on each said pair of sprocket wheels adapted to move across the bottoms of said conveyor and elevator, an electric motor, a drive shaft on said elevator, a speed reducing belt drive between said motor and drive shaft, a speed reducing belt drive between said drive shaft and the upper sprocket wheel shaft of said elevator, and a sprocket chain drive between said drive shaft and the sprocket shaft of said conveyor adjacent said elevator.

4. A potato cutting and treating machine comprising a cutting table, cutting means on said cutting table, a conveyor, a chute between said cutting means and said conveyor, a well containing a potato treating solution into which said conveyor carries the cut potatoes discharged thereinto by said chute from said cutting means, and an elevator carrying said treated cut potatoes to a discharge point for collection in a container, said conveyor and said elevator both being trough shaped, said well being provided at the lower end of said elevator and below the bottom of said conveyor, said elevator and conveyor being in the same vertical plane and connected in end to end angular relationship with said conveyor horizontal, a sprocket wheel shaft transversely mounted adjacent the ends of said conveyor and elevator, the lower elevator sprocket Wheel shaft lying within said well, a pair of sprocket wheels on each said shaft, a sprocket chain connecting corresponding sprocket wheels in said conveyor and elevator, a plurality of transverse cleats arranged in longitudinally spaced fixed relation on each said pair of sprocket wheels adapted to move across the bottoms of said conveyor and elevator,

an electric motor, a drive shaft on said elevator, at speed reducing belt drive between said motor and drive shaft, a speed reducing belt between said drive shaft and the upper sprocket wheel shaft of said elevator, and a sprocket wheel shaft of said elevator, and a sprocket chain drive between said drive shaft and the sprocket shaft of said conveyor adjacent said elevator, said belt drives being arranged on one side of said elevator and said sprocket chain drive being arranged on the other side of said elevator, the ratio of said drives being such that the elevator sprocket chains move at a slower rate than the conveyor sprocket chains.

5. A potato cutting and treating machine comprising a cutting table, cutting means on said cutting table, a conveyor, a chute between said cutting means and said conveyor, a well containing a potato treating solution into which said conveyor carries the cut potatoes discharged thereinto by said chute from said cutting means, and an elevator carrying said treated cut potatoes to a discharge point for collection in a container, said conveyor and said elevator both being trough shaped, said well being provided at the lower end of said elevator and below the bottom of said conveyor, said elevator and conveyor being in the same vertical plane and connected in end to end angular relationship with said conveyor horizontal, a sprocket wheel shaft transversely mounted adjacent theends of said conveyor and elevator, a pair of sprocket wheels on each said shaft, a sprocket chain connecting corresponding sprocket wheels, in said conveyor and elevator, a plurality of transverse cleats arranged in longitudinally spaced fixed relation on each said pair of sprocket wheels adapted to move across the bottoms of said conveyor and elevator, an. electric-motor, a drive shaft on said elevator, a speed reducing belt drive between said motor and drive shaft, a speed reducing belt drive between said .drive shaft and the upper sprocket wheel shaft of said elevator, and a sprocket chain drive between said drive shaft and the sprocket shaft of said-conveyor adjacent said elevator, said cleats ,fixed to the-pair of elevator sprocket chains beingprovided at their freeedges with transvensely-spaced .drain openings, a depending chute fixed to the upper end of said elevator, means to mount a container on the terminal end of said chute, said upper elevator sprocket wheel shaft being disposed over the chute opening and beyond the upper terminal end of said elevator bottom.

ROY A. 

